Industry News

BSA settles software suit with EMF Griffiths Engineers Pty Ltd

THE Business Software Alliance (BSA) has settled today a significant case involving the unlicensed use of BSA member software.

The BSA announced that EMF Griffiths Engineers Pty Ltd, and its director Warren Barfett, had jointly agreed to pay $85,000 for damages, interest and costs arising out of unlicensed software use.

The settlement occurred after two members of the BSA launched court proceedings against EMF and its director in the Federal Court. EMF is an engineering firm with offices in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

In addition to this payment, EMF must also purchase valid licences for BSA member software that it uses going forward, or delete and cease using the infringing software.

"This case serves as a warning that organisations using unlicensed software may not just face paying licence fees to reach compliance, but may also be liable for substantial damages for copyright infringement," Mr Neil Hsien, co-chair of the BSA, said.

This case follows settlement of another matter involving a media company based in Melbourne.

"The BSA remains committed to its role in raising awareness of the damaging effects that software piracy has on the Australian IT industry, where every dollar of pirated software claims a further four dollars in lost revenues," Mr Hsien said.